The Cuban wrestling delegation suffered another setback during its preparation for the under-23 continental tournament, which will be held from April 10 to 13 in Querétaro, Mexico, a qualifying event for the 2025 Junior Pan American Games in Asunción.
The young athlete from Pinar del Río, Jaime Lobio Hernández, representative of the heavyweight division (125 kg) in freestyle wrestling, recently left the group, as confirmed by sources to the media Cubalite.
Lobio, 19 years old, was participating in an international competition for the first time, making his decision a significant blow to the technical team.
With his departure, the men's wrestling team is reduced to five athletes, just like the Greco-Roman wrestling team, following the previous defection of Santiago's Roismel Danger (60 kg), who left the group shortly after arriving in Mexico City.
Official silence and omissions in the state media
So far, the Cuban sports authorities have not officially commented in depth on these events. The state media JIT, the organ of the National Institute of Sports, Physical Education, and Recreation (Inder), only briefly mentioned a "decrease" in the Greco-Roman team, without providing details or identifying the athletes.
With these two defections, the number of Cuban athletes who have defected now totals 18 just in the year 2025, clearly reflecting the increasing exodus of young talent, driven by the economic crisis, the lack of freedoms, and the precariousness of the national sports system.
A recurring pattern
Athlete defections during international competitions have become increasingly common for Cuban sports, even in youth categories. Despite the usual safeguards and control measures, young individuals like Lobio are choosing to sever ties with the system and seek new opportunities outside the island.
Championships abroad, more than just sports showcases, have become escape routes for athletes who see no future in high-performance sports within Cuba, where infrastructure, salaries, and institutional support continue to decline.
These events add to other instances of Cuban athletes abandoning their teams in Mexico over the past year. In February 2024, at least three wrestlers -Susana Martínez (76 kg), Santiago Hernández (57 kg), and Osmany Diversent (57 kg)- left the delegation in Acapulco during the Senior Pan American Championship and the Pan American Olympic Qualifier for Paris 2024.
In May 2024, Omar Toledano, regarded as the best handball player of the Cuban national team, left the team during the Pre-World Handball Championship in Mexico, shortly after being selected for the tournament's ideal team by NORCECA.
In November 2023, the weightlifter from Cienfuegos Elizabeth Reyes Entenza, competing in the 87 kg category, escaped while attending the Youth World Championship in Guadalajara, where she was one of the favorites to win a medal.
That same month, the Villaclareño player María Karla Pérez, a member of the national basque pelota team, left the group during the under-22 World Championship of that sport in Mexico.
The defection of Cuban athletes is a growing trend, driven by internal challenges and the search for better opportunities abroad. Mexico, in particular, has become a recurring destination for these escapes, highlighting the difficulties faced by the Cuban sports system today.
Frequently Asked Questions about Desertions in Cuban Sports
Why did Jaime Lobio Hernández leave the Cuban wrestling delegation in Mexico?
Jaime Lobio Hernández left the Cuban delegation in Mexico in search of better opportunities due to the economic crisis and lack of freedoms in the Cuban sports system. This phenomenon is part of a growing pattern of defections among Cuban athletes seeking a better future outside the island.
How many Cuban athletes have defected in 2025?
Until now, 18 Cuban athletes have defected in 2025, reflecting a growing exodus driven by difficult economic conditions and a lack of opportunities in Cuba.
Why is Mexico a recurring destination for the defections of Cuban athletes?
Mexico has become a recurring point for defections due to its geographical proximity and the sports and economic opportunities it offers. Many Cuban athletes take advantage of international competitions in Mexico to escape and seek a better future outside of Cuba.
What response have the Cuban authorities given to the defections of athletes?
The Cuban sports authorities have not provided detailed responses regarding the recent defections. The state media JIT has only mentioned "losses" within the teams without offering details about the athletes or the circumstances surrounding their departure.
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